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DENMAN THOMPSON

Denman Thompson was an actor & playwright of the 19th century. The photo to the left is a scan of a "cigar card" given to us by Mr. Tom Tullis. Tom found the card on eBay. A short biography is printed on the reverse side:

Born October 15, 1833, in Beechwood, Pa. For a year in his boyhood he was an acrobat in a circus. His professional career began in a stock company in Worcester, Mass. In 1871 he appeared in a vaudeville sketch called "Joshua Whitcomb," which was elaborated into a play and finally became "The Old Homestead," starring in it almost continuously ever since. Is also the author of "The Sunshine of Paradise Alley," which was produced in 1896.

BETWEEN THE ACTS
LITTLE CIGARS
ALL TOBACCO -- NO PAPER
NOT A CIGARETTE
PARTICULARLY SATISFACTORY TO SMOKERS OF
HIGH GRADE CIGARS WHEN TIME IS LIMITED

Materials below were provided by Dick Thompson of Bridgewater, MA. Click on any thumbnail for full size, detailed image.

The Portraits:

Denman Thompson as Joshua Whitcomb
"Uncle Joshua Whitcomb" as himself
National Tradition
The Embodiment of a National Tradition
Denman Thompson
Denman Thompson
in his famous role of "Uncle Joshua Whitcomb" in "The Old Homestead"

Denman Thompson as Joshua Whitcomb,

featured in the March 1923 edition of "The Mentor" magazine under the heading of "Makers of American Drama."  At the time, it sold for 35 cents a copy!


The Homestead:

Homestead
Denman Thompson's "Old Homestead"
It stands on the site of his maternal grandfather's house in West Swanzey, New Hampshire

The Thompson Homestead, at West Swanzey, NH -The original "Old Homestead," but since made over and modernized


The Notices:

Denman Thompson Autograph
An Autograph (1902)


Death Notice 1911

Denman Thompson Obituary
Full obituary 1911
[Column One] [Column Two]
See 1880 Census information on Denman
James M. HILL was Denman THOMPSON's theatrical manager. His obituary is sent by Kate Jones  

For more information about Denman, the annual performance of the play and The Old Homestead Association, visit: www.oldhomesteadswanzey.com

? Copyright 1997-2017. Thompson Family Researchers.
Updated: 16 Jan 2017 12:51 PM